Diabetes what is it exactly

Find out more about prediabetes , and the things you can do to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes are able to put their diabetes into remission. This means your blood sugar levels are healthy without taking any medication. For many people, this can be life-changing. Find out more about managing your diabetes today. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with no.

Skip to main navigation Skip to content. Breadcrumb Home diabetes the basics. Download this helpful guide now. Jacqueline Colon, R. Mercy Molina, R. Rodolfo Alejandro, M. David Baidal, M. Dora Berman-Weinberg, Ph. Peter Buchwald, Ph. George W. Burke, III, M. Diego Correa, M. Chris Fraker, Ph. Interview: Under the Microscope Ronald B. Goldberg, M. Norma S. Kenyon, Ph. Thomas Malek, Ph.

Daniel H. Mintz, M. Bresta Miranda, M. Ricardo Pastori, Ph. This condition runs in families. Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight. Gestational diabetes is the result of hormonal changes during pregnancy.

This can cause high blood sugar during pregnancy. Women who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight during their pregnancy are more likely to get gestational diabetes. Both genes and environmental factors play a role in triggering diabetes.

Get more information here on the causes of diabetes. Your family, environment, and preexisting medical conditions can all affect your odds of developing diabetes. High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:. The mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure preeclampsia or type 2 diabetes.

She may also require cesarean delivery , commonly referred to as a C-section. Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications, but you can manage the condition with medications and lifestyle changes. Avoid the most common diabetes complications with these helpful tips.

Doctors treat diabetes with a few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken by mouth , while others are available as injections. Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. There are four types of insulin that are most commonly used. Diet and exercise can help some people manage type 2 diabetes. You may need to take more than one of these drugs. Some people with type 2 diabetes also take insulin.

According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10 to 20 percent of women with gestational diabetes will need insulin to lower their blood sugar. Insulin is safe for the growing baby. The drug or combination of drugs that your doctor prescribes will depend on the type of diabetes you have — and its cause.

Check out this list of the various medications that are available to treat diabetes. Healthy eating is a central part of managing diabetes. In some cases, changing your diet may be enough to control the disease. Your blood sugar level rises or falls based on the types of foods you eat.

Starchy or sugary foods make blood sugar levels rise rapidly. Protein and fat cause more gradual increases. Your medical team may recommend that you limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat each day. Work with a dietitian who can help you design a diabetes meal plan. Diabetes is the No. In the last 20 years , the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.

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